Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
The difference between gastric band and sleeve often comes up when considering and discussing weight loss surgery, and while in the UK gastric bypass is more the rival to gastric band than the sleeve (mainly due to price and insurance provided for the band), the latter ought to be taken into account as the surgery which will (and should!) replace gastric band.
About the gastric band, shortly
In a nutshell, a gastric band is a silicone band wrapped around the upper part of the stomach, which should keep food from entering the lower, bigger half of the stomach. The band is measured and adjusted individually.
The cost of gastric band surgery in the UK falls between £4000 – 8000 (keep in mind that there will be necessary adjustment procedures in the long aftercare).
Meanwhile, gastric band cost abroad varies from countries where the prices are as high and higher than in private clinics of the UK to those which offer quality procedures but at a much lower cost (mainly due to overall economy) - £3200 in Belgium, £2100 in Poland (note: neither of these are all-inclusive) and £3500-4000 in Latvia.
About the gastric sleeve, shortly
In this forefront bariatric surgery, a 75-80% of the stomach is removed during the surgery. This means that a person needs to eat a lot less, absorbs less nutrients and the creation of „hunger hormones“ which lead us to overeating and snacking, is also drastically cut.
The gastric sleeve price in the UK falls between £12 000 – 13 000. Now, if you are wondering how much is a gastric sleeve surgery in Europe, then some numbers:
Poland - £3600 (non-inclusive)
Belgium - £5000 – 6000 (non-inclusive)
Weight Loss Riga clinic in Latvia, all-inclusive - £4980.
The main differences between gastric band and sleeve
- The aftercare. The unreliability of the gastric band once planted is also the main reason why so the sieve of bariatric surgeries on NHS is so tight – because too many people fail the post-surgery aftercare. Meanwhile, gastric sleeve has a success rate of 95% and more.
- The side-effects, with sleeve having them much milder and controllable with vitamins and other prescribed medicine. And the high risk of vomiting, indigestion and sever acid reflux of the band simply does not occur with gastric sleeve.
- The success rate and weight loss, with gastric sleeve showing a 95% and above success with people losing their excess weight – and keeping it off.
Why we recommend against gastric band
1. There are common and severe side effects such as vomiting, indigestion and acid reflux. (For 15-30% of people!)
2. After a few years, the band may lose its efficiency, leaving the person with the worst of both sides – any possible side-effects from having the band while actually gaining very little aid from it.
3. It needs frequent visits to the doctor to be adjusted (which it needs to be, for proper effectiveness) – this is also the major difference between gastric band and sleeve since sleeve does not take any such procedural aftercare.
Any questions about either? Do not hesitate to contact us via our website, we are always happy to reply and explain!
